Holder for pressurized toothpaste dispensers



1963 H. w. GROSS 3,100,065

HOLDER FOR PRESSURIZED TOOTHPASTE DISPENSERS Filed Aug. 3, 1960 HilbertM. Gross INVENTOR.

BY Wm 3,169,065 HOLDER FSR PRESSURTZED TGOTHEPASTE DISPENSERS Hilbert W.Gross, 1311 Hamilton St, Allentown, Pa. Filed Aug. 3, 1960, Ser. No.47,246 1 Claim. (or. 22218tl) This invention relates to an improvedsupport and holder for a pressurized can of paste-like material, forexample, toothpaste or the like. This holder is especially, but notnecessarily, designed and appropriately adapted for use by children who,under prevailing practice, find it diflicult to properly handle andoperate currently used pressure-type cans.

Unlike cans which require shaking before use, toothpaste and similardispensing cans must be held upright when being used. In fact, it isimportant as the printed directions specify, that the can must standupright for effective and economical use. Manifestly, youngsters areprone to disregard instructions. It follows that the instant inventionis such in construction and mode of use that it will satisfactorilysolve the problem.

Briefly summarized, a preferred embodiment of this invention has to dowith a vertically elongated can holder herin described as a receiver.The receiver is provided with a receptacle portion and the can isremovably fitted therein. A horizontal base is provided to firmly seatthe can in its intended upstanding dispensing position. The lever hasone end pivoted atop the holder so that the lever may swing in avertical arc or path about horizontal pivoting axes. The other and freeend of the lever has a suitable handle or finger-piece. A median portionof the lever has means to depress and operate the valve means, usually aso-called push-button at the top of the can.

The invention features a lever of novel shape and form. This leverprovides a suitably accessible easy-to-use finger-grip or handle, thepurpose of which is self-evident even to youngsters. Therefore, all thatthe user has to do is to push the finger-piece down to trip the valve orpush-button on the dispenser. This can be done with one hand and thetoothbrush can be held underneath the discharge nozzle with the otherhand. Consequently the user does not have to bother with any specialdirections or instructions of how to go about using the dispensing can.

The invention is also desirable in that it is preferably provided with abracket or suitable attaching means whereby the holder with the canlocated therein is constantly in vie-w and therefore provides thedesired daily reminder to brush ones teeth regularly. Instead of havingto reach into the medicine cabinet or elsewhere, the user finds the canready for instant use. It follows, as experience has shown, that usersbrush more often because of the convenience and aid which the instantinvention offers. Also, since there are no instructions to confuseyoungsters the can is always situated in the intended and properlyusable upright position.

It is believed that this invention will be adopted for use in motels andhotels where more sanitary and personalized service will be offered toguests.

Then too, novelty is predicated on the incorporation in the wall portionof the receiver of simple and expedient conveniently located hooks whichmay be employed as tooth brush holders. In fact, the holders hereindisclosed are highly suitable for the type of a brush which has a rubbertip for interdental stimulation, most types of holders now in use beingunsatisfactory for this type of a toothbrush.

In addition, it is an objective to provide a type of a holder which canbe so made that it will be restricted to the use of a particular brandof toothpaste. That is to "ice say, the holder can be made to fit onlythe one brand can. Hence, the company selling that particular brandcould afford to commercialize the companion holder to the advantage ofthe promoting company.

Then too, novelty is predicated on the adoption and use of a holderwhich lends itself to production from colorful commercial plasticmaterials, ceramics, or stainless steel. Consequently, this promotionalaspect of the overall concept will help to spread the popularity oftoothpaste in pressurized cans suitable as a permanent bathroom fixture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a holder constructed in accordancewith the invention and showing how the can of toothpaste is used inconjunction therewith.

FIG. 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the holder with thetoothpaste can appearing in phantom lines.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view with the can removed.

Although the body portion of the holder may be aptly described usingterminology other than that adopted here, the holder proper is heredesignated as a receiver. However, it could be called a container if sodesired. In any event, the numeral 6 designates a vertically elongatedreceptacle-type receiver having a fiat bottom 8 constituting a base forthe bottom of the insertable and removable pressurized can of toothpaste10. A vertical elongated wall 12 which may be said to be substantiallycircular in cross-section is attached to and rises from the bottom orbase. It will be noticed that the central front portion of the wall iscut away to provide an opening or slot 14 which exposes the can. Therear upper portion 16 of the wall has a slot 18 formed therein toaccommodate the adjacent end portion 20 of the aforementionedhandleequipped lever 22. This portion of the lever is provided withjournals or pins 23 journaled for operation in bearings 24 providedtherefor on opposite sides of the slot 18. The lever has its medianportion twisted as at 26 to provide a handle portion 28 and the free endof the handle portion terminates in a suitable finger-piece or grip 30.This grip 30 is desirable in that it projects well out beyond the openfront and it will be self-evident, even to a child, that its purpose isto be that of a handle or finger-grip. The portion 32 of the handle hasa depending flange 34 which is attached to and carries a disk-like plate36 which is herein described as a depressor for the push-button means 38at the top of the can 10 which means serves, as is obvious, to open thevalve and to permit the toothpaste to discharge through the nozzle 41 Itis important to note particularly in connection with FIG. 2 that whenthe can 10 is in position in the receptable portion of the holder orreceiver the depressor 36 is of course spaced vertically above but atabout 12 to the plane of the base or bottom 8. Also, the angle and shapeof the flange 34 is such that the depressor 36 occupies a fil'rnposition and directly atop the push-button after the lever has beendepressed. Depressor 36 must be at an angle of about 12 so that the backedge of the plate strikes push-button first at rear of button becausepush-button is affixed at front of can. This will allow lighter pressureto express contents of can. The depressor is circular or disk-like as isthe button 38 and it is of a diameter less than the button as is clearfrom FIG. 1. The lever, as a unit, is at an oblique angle to thehorizontal position of the depressor 36. Stated otherwise, thelengthwise axis of the lever is at a 15 angle. This is important in thatthe slight downward movement of the lever when it is being operatedimposes the operating pressure of the depressor 36 properly andsuitably. The length of the bracket will vary depending upon the type ofmaterial used in manufacturing this item. The more rigid the materialthe smaller the bracket needed. If a plastic is' used a longer bracketis necessary to prevent give or bending of the unit when-pressure isapplied. The length maybe as long as the container itself. Likewise if ametal such as stainless steel is used a smaller bracket such asindicated on the drawings may be used.

While it is within the purview of the invention to set the holder on asink, drainboard or other handy surface it is preferred that it bemounted in asuspended easily accessible position. To this end, anattaching bracket or fixture 42 is provided. This bracket has a centralU- shaped portion (FIG. 3) 44 which is secured to the median backportion of the Wall 12 as'shown in FIG. 2. The length of the bracket issuch that attaching earsor wings 46 are provided and these have holes 48therein to accommodate attaching screws (not shown). Obviously, it iswithin the purview of the invention to dispense with screws and to applyadhesive media on the attachable surfaces of the ears so that thebracket may be glued in place.

It will alsobe noticed that the diametrically opposite top edges 50incline downwardly and forwardly toward the slot or opening 14. Thentoo, tongues 52 are struck out and bent upon themselves into generalC-shaped form and these constitute and provide satisfactory tooth brushholders as is believed to be self-evident.

The fact is, that all of the features adopted and used here are more orless in the self-evident category. In other words, when one purchasesthis holder he will know at once how to install it without anycomplicated or confusing directions. It will be evident that thereceiver provides a sort of a container for the can it and the can canbe readily inserted and removed. The container being only slightlylarger in diameter than the can, so there will be case of removing, andwhen placing in position it will be held in proper position so thedepressor button will be properly and easily in position to require noother adjustment or positioning outside of having nozzle in the front.Once the can is in position and the lever has been raised up to assumethe position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device is ready for use. Infact, all that is necessary is to make sure that the depressor 36 restsfirmly and properly on the push-button 38. Then, and

after that, all that one has to do is to press the fingerpiece 30 downin order to depress the button 38.

Although but two toothbrush holders 52 are shown it will be understoodthat additional and similar holders may, if desired, be provided.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly tall suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the-invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

In combination, a vertically cylindrical receiver having a flat circularhorizontal base portion and a cylindrical vertical wall, said wallhaving a vertical front slot, a can of pressurized dental cream confinedremovably in the receiver, said can standing upright on the base portionand being partially encompassed by the Wall and exposed to view by wayof said slot, said receiver being the only means for maintaining saidcan in a stationary upright position, and a vertically pivoted levermounted atop the Wall of said receiver, said mounting including acircular opening formed by rearwardly curling the upper edge of saidwall, a slot which is perpendicular to said opening to receive the end.of said pivoted lever to be mounted, and a pin lodged in said circularopening and passing through said mounted end of the lever for pivotallyretaining such end in relation to the receiver, said lever having ahandle at its free swingable end and being disposed, when in use, at anupwardly inclined oblique angle, the upper end of said can having avalve tripping button spaced vertically from the plane of said base, and

the medial portion of said lever having a button depresser resting atopthe button, an attaching and supporting bracket carried by a rearwardupper central portion of said wall, and upper edge portions of said wallcurved to form toothbrush holders.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS MeuwlyDec. 19, 196 1

